Juneteenth tour and storytimes at Historic Oak View County Park

Here’s some of what’s coming up. Follow the links to register or to get more information.

Artifact Adventure
Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Saturday, May 14th, 2022
Friday, May 20th, 2022
Saturday, May 28th, 2022
11 a.m. each day
Free

Come join Oak View for an adventure… an artifact adventure! This guided program challenges participants to identify artifacts around Oak View with an “I spy” inspired game. Adventurers will be given close-up pictures and clues about artifacts and will be asked to find the matching artifact inside the buildings. Participants will learn about each artifact and how the artifact fits into Oak View’s history.

This program is open to all ages, and is best suited for elementary to middle school-aged children and their caregivers. Registration is required for all participants and no walk-ups will be accepted. The tour will include walking between the buildings.

Oak View celebrates Juneteenth

The name refers to June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved men, women, and children in Galveston, Texas were informed that slavery was over. They were perhaps some of the very last enslaved people to learn they were free. Over the years, Juneteenth has become a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery, freedom, and the ongoing legacy of justice and equality.

All month long the park will feature a special self-guided Juneteenth display featuring interpretive panels about the history of Juneteenth, the stories of the formerly enslaved individuals who lived and labored at Oak View, and what freedom meant to them. The display is located on the park’s brick walkways, starting after the StoryWalk and ending at the 1870s tenant house.

Juneteenth Storytime
Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
Saturday, June 11th, 2022
10 a.m.
Free

Learn about the significance of Juneteenth and its commemoration of freedom from slavery. We’ll read the children’s book “Juneteenth for Mazie” and visit the tenant house to learn about what freedom meant to the enslaved people at Oak View. Participants will create a take-home reminder by creating their own Juneteenth flag. Open to all ages, recommended for ages 4-8.

Juneteenth at Oak View: Freedom Stories
Saturday, June 25th, 2022
11 a.m.
Free

Join us at Oak View for a special tour focused on the experiences of Oak View’s enslaved community at emancipation. Discover stories of how African American families celebrated their liberation and the steps they took to secure freedom for themselves and their descendants. Open to all ages, recommended for upper elementary and up.